Distracted drivers top the list of North Dakota motorists' safety concerns, a recent state AAA study shows.
The top three safety concerns were:
- Distracted drivers, 75 percent.
Drunken driving, 74 percent.
- Aggressive drivers, 42 percent.
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North Dakota lawmakers are considering legislation that would make it illegal for drivers to send a text message from a cellular phone or other wireless communications device while operating a moving vehicle.
Hand-held cell phones and text messaging were ranked highly distracting on AAA North Dakota's third annual list.
"People are noticing distracted driving largely through cell phone use more often than they encounter a drunk driver," said Gene LaDoucer, spokesman for AAA North Dakota.
"Basically with this data, it mirrors the data we've seen in research at the national level," he said. "It's not a great surprise that North Dakotans feel the same way as people do across the nation."
Robyn Litke of the Safe Communities Coalition of the Red River Valley said these percentages should serve as a wake-up call to motorists.
"I think (distracted driving) is going to become more of a concern as time passes," Litke said.
Drunken driving will remain the No. 1 priority for her group, she added.
"This needs to be a multitasking, multifaceted effort," she said.
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The top three driver distractions were:
- Talking on hand-held cell phones, 82 percent.
- Text messaging, 74 percent.
- Searching for something in the vehicle, 56 percent.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Kim Winnegge at (701) 241-5524
